What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.01MYOUTH SHELTER/OUTREACH: THE CAPTAIN CHS STREET OUTREACH PROJECT IS A UNIQUE AND COMPELLING PROGRAM THATS SUPPORTS ATRISK YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR SPECIALIZED, DEDICATED TEAM BUILD RAPPORT AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUTH WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESSTHROUGHOUT SARATOGA, FULTON, MONTGOMERY, WASHINGTON, AND WARREN COUNTIES. THE CAPTAIN CHS RUNAWAY AND HOMESS YOUTH SHELTER IS A TEMPORARY SHELTER CERTIFIED BY THE NYS OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SERVING YOUTH AGES 1317 WHO ARE HOMELESS, RUNAWAY, OR IN AN OTHERWISE UNSAFE SITUATION. YOUTH CAN UTILIZE OUR PROGRAM AND SERVICES FOR UP TO 30 DAYS OR AS LONG AS IS NECESSARY, AND KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE SAFE AND FIND REFUGE IN A HOMELIKE ENVIRONMENT.
- #2 $1.31MOTHER YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, AND SHELTER RESPITE CARE SERVICES, OPERATION OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS INCLUDING YOUTH CITIZENSHIP AND ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES, YOUTH EMERGENCY SHELTER, YOUTH HOMEWORK HELP PROGRAM, YOUTH CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAMS, YOUTH AND FAMILY HOTLINES, PHONE FRIEND TALKLINE, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY EDUCATION FOR FAMILY LIFE, CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM, AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE / HOMELESS PREVENTION INITIATIVES.
What they call their work
What they do
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 3 activities
- Coordinated entry system for homeless servicesServes as the lead agency for the coordinated entry system in Saratoga-North Country, assessing and prioritizing access to homeless services based on need across multiple counties.
- Supportive housing for young adultsOperates a Supportive Housing Program with ten 1-bedroom apartments and case management for young adults ages 18–25 transitioning from foster care, experiencing chronic homelessness, or survivors of human trafficking.
- Youth emergency shelter and outreach servicesOperates a temporary shelter certified by New York State for youth ages 13–17 who are homeless, runaway, or in unsafe situations, offering up to 30 days of homelike housing. Conducts street outreach and direct engagement with at-risk youth ages 13–21 in Saratoga County and 13–24 in Fulton and Montgomery Counties.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 2 activities
- Emergency assistance with clothing and household goodsProvides free clothing and household goods to individuals and families experiencing hardships such as domestic violence, theft, or home loss due to fire or disaster, through emergency distribution and the CAPTAIN's Treasures resale shop.
- Seasonal and holiday assistance programsProvides holiday and seasonal assistance including school supplies, coats, Thanksgiving food baskets, and holiday gifts through Adopt-a-Family and Toy Shop programs for low-income families and children.
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Youth Development and Support Services 2 activities
- Safe Harbour program for trafficked and exploited youthProvides case management and comprehensive support services through the Safe Harbour program for youth who have been trafficked, sexually exploited, or are at risk, ensuring access to care and protection.
- Youth citizenship and alternative activitiesOperates a continuum of youth and family services including youth citizenship programs, homework help, conflict resolution, hotlines, information and referral, and family life education to promote positive youth development and community engagement.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS) and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)Provides CFTSS and HCBS to children and families in the Capital Region and surrounding areas, including enhanced care management, service coordination, education, and follow-up for eligible individuals.
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Youth Cycling Education and Access Programs 1 activity
- Community transportation and recreation programProvides bicycles to residents in Saratoga County through the Bike Works program, promoting transportation, recreation, and healthy lifestyles.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Emergency financial assistance for housing and utilitiesProvides one-time emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and other essential needs to individuals and families in Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties who are at risk of homelessness, eviction, or utility shutoff, including through the Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP).
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Emergency food and hygiene pantry servicesOperates a food and hygiene pantry in Clifton Park, open to any resident of Saratoga County in need, with walk-in service on multiple weekdays, evening pick-up by appointment, same-day ordering, and regular distribution events. Provides pantry stocking, nutrition support, and delivery of food and hygiene products to homebound individuals.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Family development and mentoring programsRuns empowerment-based mentoring programs including Family Development and Family Development mentoring, pairing volunteer mentors with families or individuals to build mutual respect, healthy relationships, and pathways from survival to self-sufficiency.
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School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
- Family support and education servicesOffers training and education for caregivers and families to support decision-making for children with developmental, medical, mental health, or substance use needs, and provides advocacy and accompaniment for family court, school meetings, and social services navigation.
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Child & Youth Meal Programs 1 activity
- Free summer meals for children and youthAdministers the Free Summer Meals program for children and youth under 18 in Saratoga County, providing breakfast and lunch on weekdays during summer months through NYS-funded and other initiatives.
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Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
- Free tax preparation services (VITA program)Provides free income tax preparation services through the IRS-sponsored VITA program for income-qualified, disabled, and limited-English-speaking individuals in the Capital Region, specifically those earning under $56,000 annually.
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Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
- Funding community programs through CAPTAIN's TreasuresDirects 100% of proceeds from CAPTAIN's Treasures, a resale store offering gently-used clothing and household goods, to support programs for children, families, and seniors through CAPTAIN CHS.
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Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Respite and crisis support for children and familiesProvides planned and crisis respite services for children and youth with developmental, medical, mental health, or substance use needs, offering short-term relief for caregivers and prevention of crisis escalation through Family Support Services.
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Senior Independence Support Services 1 activity
- Senior support and social servicesProvides free supportive services to individuals aged 60+ through the Care Links program, including curb-to-curb transportation to medical appointments and weekly social gatherings featuring refreshments, conversation, and games for seniors aged 55 and older.
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Medicaid Health Home Care Coordination 1 activity
- Social Support Navigation Program for Medicaid WaiverOperates a Social Support Navigation Program to help qualified individuals access care through the New York State Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver, including referral management and service coordination.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Transportation assistance for service accessOffers transportation assistance via public or private transport to help individuals access medical appointments, social services, and other referrals, including dedicated curb-to-curb service for seniors in specific communities.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement and capacity buildingEngages over 60 volunteers to operate the CAPTAIN's Treasures shop and manage donated goods, and supports social impact organizations through the Innovation Collaborative by enhancing employee wellness, retention, and leadership development.
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Self-Sufficiency Empowerment Workshops 1 activity
- Weekly self-sufficiency workshopsOperates weekly group workshop programs such as Getting Ahead and the empowerment-based workshop to help individuals assess personal resources, create stability plans, and build skills in budgeting, time management, parenting, and life skills to move toward self-sufficiency.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth development and enrichment programsRuns youth programs including CAPteen and JR CAPteen in partnership with Shenendehowa Central School District, Peace Camp, Camp CAPTAIN Cares, and the What's Cookin' cooking skills program for youth in grades 6–12, focusing on community service, teamwork, conflict resolution, and skill building.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Youth employment and workforce readiness programsOffers youth employment programs including Job Assist, Teens Reaching Heights, and summer employment at Cheryl's Lodge, providing job placement, coaching, workforce readiness training, and career advancement support for youth aged 14–21, particularly those who are income-qualified.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Youth enrichment activity scholarshipsOffers the Zachary Culnan Memorial Family Fund Activity Scholarship to provide financial support for low-income youth to participate in sports, arts, STEM, and other enrichment activities.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDREW GILPIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $108K |
| MAGDY HAY | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 40 | $79K |
- ASHLYNN SAVARESE — SECRETARY
- BOB O'CONNELL — DIRECTOR
- CHUCK PAFUNDI JR — DIRECTOR
- CLAIRE BROWN — 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
- COLLEEN CAVANAUGH — DIRECTOR
- DAN BAZILE — DIRECTOR
- DR GINA COSGROVE — DIRECTOR
- EDWARD GABELOFF — DIRECTOR
- ELIOT CRESSWELL — DIRECTOR
- JOHN KUZNIA — PRESIDENT
- KATE GURLEY — PAST PRESIDENT
- KATHY SIMMONDS — EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
- KEVIN FLYNN — DIRECTOR
- LOU BUSH — DIRECTOR
- MIKE HOLLEY — 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
- NESREEN MAJDALAWI — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT DEMARCO — TREASURER
- TEJAWI BANNURY — STUDENT
- TERRY MANGO — DIRECTOR
- THEO CANAVAN — DIRECTOR
- TOM SAVINO — DIRECTOR
- TRACEY NORMAN — DIRECTOR
Who they work with
- Cheryl's Lodge Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Clifton Park.
- Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library Partner — Sponsors the Library Summer Reading Camp program at Cheryl's Lodge.
- Cookie Factory Partner — Shares retail plaza location with CAPTAIN's Treasures in Clifton Park
- D&R Village Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Clifton Park.
- Division of Criminal Justice Services Government — Staff undergo criminal background checks conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
- FEASST Partner — Coalition of faith communities that partners with CAPTAIN CHS to provide and coordinate emergency assistance for individuals in crisis.
- FEASST (Family Emergency Assistance of Southern/Northern Saratoga County) Partner — Coalition of faith communities partnering with CAPTAIN CHS to provide coordinated emergency assistance.
- Galway Elementary School Partner — Host site for the Grab & Go Free Summer Meals program in Galway.
- Galway High School Partner — Host site for the Grab & Go Free Summer Meals program in Galway.
- Greenfield Community Center Partner — Host site for the Grab & Go Free Summer Meals program in Greenfield Center.
- HS Summer Academy Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Mechanicville.
- IRS Government — Government partner in administering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
- Jocelynn's Bridal Partner — Shares retail plaza location with CAPTAIN's Treasures in Clifton Park
- Kayadeross Acres Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Ballston Spa.
- Louden Oaks Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Saratoga Springs.
- MACSC Camp @ Mechanicville Elementary School Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Mechanicville.
- MACSC Summer Adventure Camp Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Mechanicville.
- NYS Office of Children and Family Services Government — Staff are cleared through and must meet training requirements set by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
- NYS Office of Mental Health Government — Staff are required to complete training mandated by the NYS Office of Mental Health prior to service delivery.
- New York State Government — Administers the 1115 Waiver program in partnership with CAPTAIN Community Human Services.
- New York State Government — NYS-funded program providing financial assistance for homelessness prevention.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Government — Certifies the Captain CHS Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter.
- Saratoga County Government — Mentors help clients navigate community services in Saratoga County and are knowledgeable about local resources.
- Saratoga County Department of Employment and Training Partner — Sponsors the Supported Youth Employment and Teens Reaching Heights programs at Cheryl's Lodge.
- Saratoga Village Partner — Host site for the Grab & Go Free Summer Meals program in Ballston Spa.
- Saratoga-North Country Continuum of Care Network — CAPTAIN CHS is a member of the Saratoga-North Country Continuum of Care, a collaborative network dedicated to preventing and eliminating homelessness in the region.
- Saratoga-North Country Continuum of Care (CoC) Network — Member organization working to prevent and end homelessness; Executive Director Andy Gilpin serves on the Board.
- Shenendehowa Central School District Partner — Partner in the CAPteen and JR CAPteen youth development and volunteer programs.
- Stewart’s Corporation Partner — Partner in the Bike Works program, providing support for distributing bicycles to residents in Saratoga County.
- Summer Camp at Elementary School Partner — Host site for the Free Summer Meals program in Mechanicville.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Bridges Out of Poverty Frameworkmethodology: bridges-out-of-povertyBy applying the Bridges Out of Poverty model, the organization unites cross-sector partners and individuals across economic classes to address systemic barriers, improve job retention, and support transitions out of poverty, because collective understanding of class dynamics strengthens community solutions.
- Coordinated Entry for Housing Servicesmethodology: coordinated-entryBy using a coordinated entry system to prioritize access to housing services based on level of need, the organization improves equity and efficiency in service delivery, because centralized triage ensures the most vulnerable receive timely support.
- Empowerment-Based Mentoringmethodology: empowerment-based mentoringBy building mentoring relationships grounded in mutual respect, the organization fosters personal growth and supports individuals and families in achieving self-sufficiency, because empowerment and dignity are central to sustainable change.
- Integrated Youth Support Modelmethodology: integrated-youth-supportBy combining academic support, extracurricular activities, and basic needs like snacks, the organization improves student engagement and success, because addressing both developmental and material needs holistically supports youth development and learning.
- Multi-Sector Collaboration to End Homelessnessmethodology: multi-sector collaborationBy leading coordinated, cross-sector partnerships, the organization aligns community resources and systems to prevent and end homelessness, because systemic change requires collective responsibility and shared strategies across institutions.